Inside The Coffee Bench Nanyuki

While having coffee on a bench at Safari Park Isiolo, Patrick Maina, aka The Barman or Kissinger, thought of how cool it would be to have his place. As a lover of pastries, coffee and good music, he would finally have a chance to live his dream. One year later, The Coffee Bench Nanyuki was born.

You see, The Barman wanted a place one could chill with zero to no distractions, away from Nanyuki town but close enough for convenience. He attributed his ability to start and run the business that fast to him knowing exactly what he wanted: the benches and flowers, and his many safaris. As a tour guide and driver with Open Roof Safaris, he has visited several hotels that he believes inspired him to sharpen the vision he had for The Bench, as he calls it.

Located along the Nanyuki-Rumuruti road, just a few kilometres from Nanyuki Cedar Mall, The Coffee Bench operates from 8am to 10.30pm.

ARTSY RIDE

At the entrance, a yellow bicycle welcomes you, figuratively, to show you that you are in for a ride. Unlike other restaurants, The Barman went with plants as a fence. They provide the required privacy while inviting you in; such a beautiful contrast. They have an outdoor setup that I'd recommend for a group of friends or for someone looking to make friends. They also provide games if you and your friends wish to play.

As it's an intimate place, the music is played via a small Bluetooth speaker that is loud enough to entertain you but quiet enough for a conversation. They allow guests to play their preferred music. Do you have a playlist you wish to show off? Well, then, here’s your chance.

The place is an artist's dream. He's carefully collected art pieces from different local artists. As Nanyuki houses the British Army (Batuk), local artists camp near their headquarters. The ashtrays and wine holders are also similar to the ones found in these curio shops.

“I wanted to support local artists and collect art pieces,” The Barman says, smiling at one of the bottle holders. From his many safaris, The Barman has brought with him collectibles that he proudly showcases, including a rock and dried flowers from the Aberdares, which sits pretty in the restaurant section.

Everything from the whiskey displays to the roof and the ashtrays are handcrafted and artistic. What started as a coffee and pastry joint has birthed a well-equipped bar and a kitchen.

As a lover of basketball and hip hop, the bar section has two big paintings. One is a photo of Lebron James and his wife, Savannah James, and the other painting shows Tupac Shakur and Eminem playing chess. “I love this one,” The Barman said, pointing at the Tupac and Eminem painting. “As a lover of chess and hip hop, given the position of the chess pieces, I believe Tupac wins.”

There's a large selection of liquor. A bottle of beer goes for Sh350. I had my first KO beer here. As it was my birthday, my best friend Wairimu bought me a bottle. They have a wide selection of whiskey and wine that I look forward to trying. The ambience dictates a calm night, sherehe polite.

The restaurant is located at the back of the bar and coffee shop, giving one the privacy and quietness required for a romantic or a solo date. The warm lighting, flowers and candles give the restaurant a romantic vibe.

YUMMY CUISINE

What their potions lack in quantity, they compensate for in taste and customer service. Each plate is freshly made, with ingredients sourced from local farms, hence the name the Farmer’s Pocket. At night, one is welcomed by a bonfire, chatter and warm lighting.

They have a wide selection of meals, juices, bitings, salads, soups, desserts and a breakfast menu. The prices are reasonable and pocket-friendly. They offer two-person platters and five-person platters that I am yet to try.

For my birthday dinner, I had buttered fish, wedges and a homemade sauce. The wedges are crispy on the outside, soft and well-cooked inside. The fish is well-cooked and soft on the inside, and the butter on top makes it crunchy. Although the veggies were plain, dipping them in the sauce and a little black pepper elevated them. The crowd at night is small, consisting mainly of groups of friends and a couple of romantic dates.

I went back on a rainy Monday afternoon for a Mocha and lunch. The coffee menu is displayed on a blackboard at the entrance of the coffee shop. I had barbecue pork with fries and veggies. I've tasted good veggies but the one served with this dish was exquisite. The apple, pineapple, bell pepper and cucumber melted in my mouth. The fries are crunchy and soft on the inside, as expected. The barbecue sauce was nicely done and the meat was perfectly cooked.

The menu was thought through as everything they serve marries each other. The sauce served with the fish elevated the veggies and the lemony taste complemented the fish and potatoes. The salad served with the barbecue pork was sweet and fresh, complementing the rich barbecue taste.

Of course, you can bring your kids and pets. They have a mini shop with snacks and juices.